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Indigenous Day of Prayer
We were delighted to welcome back Carolyn Klaassen, a member of our Synod who is Ojibway from the Henley Inlet First Nation to lead us in worship for our Indigenous Day of Prayer on June 19. The service began in the courtyard with a smudging ceremony as we sang "Song at the Center," by Marty Haugen. Included in the smudging were 14 gift baskets to welcome a new cohort of women to their program at the Turning Point Recovery Society. The service continued with a procession into the Sanctuary accompanied by drumming where Carolyn lead us in prayer and we heard the gospel message proclaimed in a different key. We heard the same "melody" but through different idioms and cultural images as Carolyn read from the Indigenous Translation of New Testament. Rather than simply hearing the name Jesus - we were introduced to him as the Son of the One Above Us All and as the One named as Creator Sets Free. In the letter to the Galations, hearing the gift of faith referred to as the "Way of Trusting" helped to remind us that faith is not static, but a dynamic way of life. Carolyn's gospel message - in her characteristic story-telling style - about God's unconditional forgiving love for each one of us, our responsibility to care for the earth, and that the true marks of the church are not found in elaborate buildings or altars but in the living out of God's reconciling love to all, was a powerful reminder to us all. Following the service we were treated to home baked bannock by Carolyn, and enjoyed lively, lingering conversation over coffee. . . it seemed no one wanted to go home. Thanks to Lin for hosting!
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Community News
We are looking forward to our first Outdoor Service of 2022 in the North Parking Lot at 10AM this Sunday followed by a lunch BBQ. We will also be bidding farewell to the Hutson Family as they re-locate to the Island. We are so glad that the sun has finally come out, and that our faces will be caressed by summer breezes rather than raindrops. And for any who may be wondering about the heat...there will be plenty of shade to keep us comfortable. About our livestream last Sunday. . . We had thought we had solved all of our tech issues regarding our livestream - and we had! Our equipment showed that the livestream feed went out into the internet this morning, but for reasons which are a mystery to us, the Facebook servers did not find it. We apologize to our membees who tuned in but who were met with disappointment. We are now taking a hiatus from live-streaming for the summer and will re-boot in September. North Shore Housing Society Urgent Request: The North Shore Housing Centre in North Vancouver, 705 West 2nd Street, North Vancouver (across from Mr. Pet Store) is asking for bedding such as quilts, blankets and pillows. Their supply is very low at this time. If you have exrtra clean bedding and you would like to donate them, you may drop it off at their location. There is parking avaialable at the south side of the building. (604) 982-9126.
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A Mother's Prayer
Many across Canada recognize the month of June as a time to celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ communities, while acknowledging their history, the hardships they have endured and the progress that has been made. We share a poem by Rev. Wendy MacLean, a poet and minister of the United Church of Canada. Her two books of poetry were published by Borealis Press: Rough Angel, Ange Ecru (with translations by Michel Gadoury) and Spirit Song in Ancient Boughs. A Mother’s Prayer When my son told me he is gay he was afraid I would be angry. My God, why would I be angry with this brave young man bold enough to find his way on an unknown path? But to be honest, God, I had anger. Not at my son, but at a world that makes it so hard to enjoy our bodies without guilt. He is not alone in his struggles. Holy One, Creator of heaven and earth, that we are made in your image, in love and beauty. Our bodies are not separate from our spirits. You live in us.
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Words to Grow By
When you regain a sense of your life as a journey of discovery, you return to rhythm with yourself. When you take the time to travel with reverence, a richer life unfolds before you. Moments of beauty begin to braid your days. When your mind becomes more acquainted with reverence, the light, grace and elegance of beauty find you more frequently. When the destination becomes gracious, the journey becomes an adventure of beauty.
JOHN O'DONOHUE
Excerpt from his books, Beauty: The Invisible Embrace (US) / Divine Beauty
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